Film winding and staking apparatus

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A FILM WINDING AND STAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD. A CONTINUOUS SEGMENT OF FILM IS WOUND OR SPOOLED UPON A SPINDLE WHICH IS THEN REPLACED BY A FILM CARTRIDGE BODY. THE TRAILING END OF THE FILM IS STAKED TO A SCROLL DISC OR TAKE-UP CORE AND THEN SUPERIMPOSED ON THE CARTRIDGE BODY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ASSEMBLED FILM AND COMPONENTS ARE CONVEYED OR SLID TO A PIVOTABLE GUIDE PLATE, WHICH IS ROTATED TO AN ANGULAR INCLINATION TO FACILITATE THE ENCLOSURE OF THE FILM AND CARTRIDGE COMPONENTS BY A FILM CARTRIDGE COVER.

p 21 1 v J. COVER I 3,6 6 6 FILM WINDING AND STAKING APPARATUS Original5115a June so, 1967 v '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

James E. Hoover RTIN s LOWIT/ ,n'romvsr J. E. HOOVER FILM WINDING ANDSTAKING APPARATUS Original Filed June 30. 196? Sept. 21, 1971 2Sheets-Sheet I mmvmn.

Jam E. Hoover TIN sfi ownz ATTORNEY nited States Patent 3,606,662Patented Sept. 21, 1971 3,606,662 FILM WINDING AND STAKING APPARATUSJames E. Hoover, Binghamton, N.Y., assignor to GAF Corporation, NewYork, N.Y.

Original application June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 679,052, now Patent No.3,518,746, dated July 7, 1970. Divided and this application Sept. 2,1969, Ser. No. 870,862

Int. Cl. B23 1 19/04; B651) 53/04, 63/04 US. Cl. 29-240 8 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a film winding andstaking apparatus and method. A continuous segment of film is wound orspooled upon a spindle which is then replaced by a film cartridge body.The trailing end of the film is staked to a scroll disc or take-up coreand then superimposed on the cartridge body. Subsequently, the assembledfilm and components are conveyed or slid to a pivotable guide plate,which is rotated to an angular inclination to facilitate the enclosureof the film and cartridge components by a film cartridge cover.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 679,052 filed Oct. 30, 1967,now Pat. No. 3,518,746.

This invention relates to a film winding apparatus and method and, moreparticularly, to a novel apparatus and method for winding and staking alength of film preparatory to insertion into a film cartridge.

Recent developments in the photographic technology, particularly inconnection with movie cameras and related photographic equipment, havecreated a considerably expanded commercial market for film cartridgeassemblies. Movie cameras utilizing film cartridges possess advantagesover the widely known and older type film roll loading cameras, in thatthey may be conveniently and rapidly loaded with cartridges by bothprofessional photographers and amateurs. Although the film cartridgeloaded camera has gained wide acceptance and has been technicallyevolved to a high degree of manufacturing efficiency, the mass or largequantity manufacture of film-containing cartridges for movie cameras hasnot kept pace with the required technical progress. In particular, filmcartridge loading techniques as presently known, and the devices orapparatus for carrying out these techniques, are generally obsolescentand have not satisfied the presently ever-increasing industrial andcommercial demands.

In essence, movie film cartridge assemblies are constituted of agenerally planar thermoplastic body plate member having centrallylocated spindles or projections extending from both sides of the platemember. A roll of undeveloped film, as for example, 50 feet of 8 mm.film, is wound about one of the projections extending from the plasticplate member. The trailing end of the film is then positioned along thesurfaces of peripheral flanges extending about the body plate member andwhich may be integrally molded with the latter. A take-up core or scrolldisc is rotatably journaled on the other or oppositely extending spindleor projection, and is adapted to have the trailing edge of the filmfastened or staked thereto. The assembled cartridge body plate member,take-up core and film may then be enclosed by a suitable plastic coverand sealed into an integral film cartridge assembly.

In order to obtain the aforedescribed film cartridge assemblies,presently employed apparatuses and manufacturing methods utilizeessentially two separate and distinct assembly sequences. Initially, thefilm is wound about one of the projections extending from the plasticcartridge body member through the use of a suitable winding apparatus.After this manufacturing step or basic assembly sequence is completed,the film cartridge body sub-assembly, consisting of the wound film andplastic cartridge plate, must be removed from the apparatus andpresented to a further assembling device. At this point, the trailingedge of the film is attached or staked to a take-up core which isadapted to be used in connection with the film winding mechanism of amovie camera. The take-up core with the attached film is thensuperimposed on the 0ppositely extending projection of the plasticcartridge plate. Subsequently, the assembled cartridge and filmcomponents are removed from the film staking device or apparatus andenclosed by a cartridge cover. From the foregoing, it becomes readilyobvious that considerable time and effort is expended in transferringthe cartridge and film subassembly from the initial to the finalassembling, winding and staking apparatuses. Another drawback of priorart film Winding and staking methods and assembling procedures lies inthat excessive manual manipulation is required, all of which isconducive to making errors and causing delays in the manufacture of filmcartridges.

The film winding and staking apparatus and method according to thepresent invention obviates the drawbacks and disadvantages encounteredin the prior art by providing an apparatus of simple and uniqueconstruction adapted to wind and stake a continuous segment of film forassembly into a film cartridge. To this effect, the novel apparatuscontemplates the utilization of a basic work reference surface or tablecontaining operative devices for winding the film about the projectionon a film cartridge body, staking the end of the film to a take-up corefor assembly into the cartridge, and permitting manipulation of thecartridge for enclosing the latter by a suitable cartridge cover.

Essentially, the film winding and staking apparatus, according to thepresent invention, includes a rotatable power driven spindle about whicha predetermined length of movie film is wound. Suitable film footagecounter devices and cutters for severing the film prior to winding onthe spindle may be used, such devices not forming a part of the presentinvention. A cartridge body is superimposed on the spindle, saidcartridge having a projection adapted to contact the spindle. Thespindle may be depressed and replaced by the projection on the cartridgebody when the latter is pushed down onto the spindle. The loose trailingedge of the film is then conveyed to a scroll disc or take-up coremounted on a suitable rig or fixture on the apparatus, and staked to thetake-up core. The staking sequence may be attained by simply crimpingthe plastic material of the take-up core side wall over the edges of thefilm, in a manner well known in the art.

Subsequently, the take-up core and staked film are positioned on theother projection of the cartridge body, whereby the projection acts as ashort shaft about which the take-up core is rotatably journaled. Theentire subassembly, consisting of the cartridge body, wound film andtake-up core is now slid onto an angularly adjustable guide surfacewhich has appropriate cartridge retaining guide rails adapted to retainthe sub-assembly. The guide surface containing the cartridgesub-assembly is now inclined or tilted downwardly to facilitate theenclosing of the sub-assembly by a plastic film cartridge cover. At thistime the entire assembled loaded film cartridge may be manually removedby an operator for further processing, such as sealing the cartridge andpreparing it for shipment. From the foregoing, it becomes readilyapparent that the film winding and staking apparatus and methodaccording to the present invention is a much simpler, more efiicient andeconomic procedure than that employed heretofore in the industry.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for animproved and novel apparatus for the 3 winding and staking of acontinuous length of film for use in a film cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus asdescribed above incorporating a unique and advantageous rotatable anddepressable spindle for winding the film in conjunction with a filmcartridge assembling guide surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus asdescribed above including a novel scroll disc staking fixture forattaching the trailing end of the film and assembling the latter into asuitable film cartridge.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus as described above including adjustable guide means for theassembled film and cartridge, whereby the guide means facilitates theenclosing of the assembly by a film cartridge cover.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel andunique method for inserting and staking a continuous length of film intoa film cartridge.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofwinding a continuous length of film for insertion into a film cartridge,staking the end of the film to a take-up core to be subsequentlyinserted into the film cartridge, and maneuvering the film and cartridgeassembly into position for enclosure by a film cartridge cover.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the film winding and staking apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 22 in FIG. 1 withcertain details omitted; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1 andillustrating details of the spindle actuating mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, afilm winding and staking apparatus is generally designated as 10. Theapparatus may be a part of and mounted on a common work plane with afilm supply device, film footage counter and film punch and cutter (notshown).

The apparatus 10 includes a substantially flat table-top or workreference surface 12. A disc-type guide plate 14 encompasses a rotatablespindle member 16 extending above work reference surface 12. A length offilm web W is adapted to be guided by a grooved guide roller 18 from afilm cutter device (not shown), and have its leading end encompassingspindle member 16. The film end may be slotted and grooved so that itcan be interlocked and looped about the spindle member 16. Rotation isimparted to the spindle member 16 by a suitable motor drive 20positioned below work reference surface 12.

As the film W is wound in a scroll about the spindle member 16, a filmfootage counter (not shown) will measure the length of film conveyedtoward apparatus 10 and at the appropriate time, for example, aftermeasuring 52 feet of film, actuate the cutter device to sever thislength from the continuous supply of film. Concurrently, or immediatelythereafter, the motor drive 20 may be stopped, either manually orthrough automatic means associated with the film footage counter,thereby stopping rotation of the spindle member 16.

The trailing edge of the film segment W, which has been wound aboutspindle member 16 on plate 14, is now entrained about a guide pin 22extending above work reference surface 12 adjacent to plate 14. Ifdesired, the film may also be extended about a guide pin 24 positionedin proximity to guide pin 22. This end of the film is now led past andentrained about a further guide pin 26 ex ending p from work referen esurface 12, and

conveyed along a guide rail member 28 toward a staking assembly 30.

The staking assembly 30 includes a jig or fixture plate 32 mounted ontoand fastened to work reference surface 12 by suitable fastener screws34. At the juncture of fixture plate 32 and guide rail member 28, theplate 32 includes an arcuate cut-out 36 encompassing an aperture 38 insurface 12. Cut-out 36 is adapted to receive a plastic film cartridgescroll disc or take-up core 40. The staking assembly 30 incorporates aclutch 42 operable by a manual lever 44. Clutch 42 imposesa clampingforce upon scroll disc 40 so as to lock the latter into cut-out 36 andaperture 38 during the film staking sequence.

At this point, the film trailing edge, which may have a narrow tongueportion, is attached to the take-up core 40 by a staking or sealingsequence. Essentially, the film W has its end tongue portion glued,cemented, or staked to the core 40 by crimping portions of the core sidewall over the film and tongue. Although this operation is commonlyreferred to as staking the film end to the core 40, it will be obviousto one skilled in the art, that this terminology encompasses glueing,cementing, taping or crimping the film to the take-up core.

After the film has been staked to the take-up core 40, a cartridge body66 of standard design well known in the art is positioned such that acentrally located projection or spool in the supply section of thecartridge body is over the spindle member and film scroll. A manuallyoperable lever 46 is then depressed to cause the spindle member 16 torecede below the surface of the guide plate 14 and simultaneously thecartridge body is manually depressed by the operator to contact thesurface of the plate 14 whereby the film scroll encompasses theprojection spool of the cartridge body 66.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the lever 46, which recesses thespindle member 16 is comprised of a linkage or bar 48 extending intoproximity with the lower portion of spindle member 16 below referencesurface 12. An annular groove 50 is cut into spindle member 16 and isadapted to receive pins 52 which are attached to bar 48. As the bar ismoved up or down by the manipulation of lever 46, the pins 52 willimpart, respectively, lifting or depressing forces on the upper land 54or lower land 56 of groove 50. The groove 50 must be annular in order topermit rotation of the spindle member 16-in response to actuation ofmotor drive 20 without interference by pins 52. Guide pins 22 and 24 areconnected to spindle member 16 by suitable linkage means, wherebyelevation or depression of spindle member 16 will simultaneously elevateor lower guide pins 22 and 24 above or below reference surface 12.

Connection between motor drive 20 and spindle member 16 is provided bymounting a drive pulley 58 on a lower shaft extension 60 of spindlemember 16. The pulley 58, which has a suitable belt drive connected tomotor drive 20, is keyed onto shaft extension 60 by means of a key 62.An elongate key slot 64 in shaft extension 60 receives the key andpermits axial reciprocation of the spindle member 16 relative to thepulley 58 during manipulation of lever 46.

After the film scroll has been transferred to the cartridge body 66 thetake-up core 40 is removed from the staking assembly 30 and thecartridge body 66 is slid or conveyed onto a guide plate assemblygenerally designated as reference numeral 70. The assembly 70 includes amovable support plate 72 adapted to be coextensive with work referencesurface 12 in one position and downwardly inclined in another or secondposition. Mounted on support plate 72 are spaced side guide rails 74 anda bottom guide rail 76, which will accurately position or support thecartridge body 66 on support plate 72. Thus, with the guide plateassembly 70 positioned to be coextensive with surface 12, the cartridgebody 66 is positioned between the guide rails 74 and the guide rail 76,and the film segment extending from the wound portion to the end stakedto take-up core 40 is threaded about the periphery of the cartridge body6 6, which may have suitable flanges for this purpose. The take-up core40 is now superimposed over an upwardly extending projection or shaftportion in the take-up portion of the cartridge body 66.

At this time the guide plate assembly 70 may be moved downwardly to itssecond or inclined position to facilitate manual superposition of aplastic cartridge cover over the cartridge and film assembly, and theentire loaded film cartridge may be removed for further processing. Theinclination of guide plate assembly 70 permits the concurrent raising ofspindle member 16 and insertion of a successive film segment for windingthereabout while the loaded film cartridge assembly is being removedfrom apparatus 10.

During winding of the film W upon spindle member 16 it may beadvantageous to maintain a constant surface pressure on the winding filmin order to cause it to wind into a tightly-wound coil. In order toprovide the required pressure on the film, an oscillatable or pivotablearm member 80 is mounted above Work reference surface 12 and is adaptedto move in parallel relationship therewith. One end of arm member 80 ispivotable about a pivot point or pin 82-, while the other or distal freeend of the arm member 80 may be swung toward or away from spindle member16. A roller 84 is mounted on the end of arm member 80 so as to providerolling contact with the film being Wound or spooled upon the spindlemember. When the film has been wound upon the spindle member 1 6, thearm member 80 may be swung away in order to facilitate placement of thecartridge 66 upon guide plate 14.

From the foregoing, it becomes readily apparent that the presentinvention provides for an efiicient and simply constructed film windingand staking apparatus and method.

It should also be understood that the foregoing relates to only apreferred embodiment of the invention, and that it is intended to coverall changes and modifications of the example of the invention hereinchosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitutedepartures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A winding and staking apparatus to insert a wound length of film intoa film cartridge body having a generally planar film supporting plateand centrally located raised portions projecting from opposed surfacesthereof, said apparatus comprising,

a generally fiat work reference surface,

a film support surface positioned above said work reference surface andincluding an aperture,

a rotatable spindle member projecting through said aperture andencompassable by a first end portion of said length of film,

means for rotating said spindle member and winding a predeterminedlength of said film about said spindle,

means for positioning a film take-up core on said work reference surfacein spaced relationship with said film support surface,

means for staking the trailing end of said film to said take-up core,

means for lowering said spindle member below said film support surfaceupon positioning said film cartridge body on said surface whereby afirst one of said raised portions displaces said spindle member,

said take-up core and staked film being positionable on and removablefrom said positioning means and superposed on the other of saidcartridge body raised portions, and

movable guide means for receiving said cartridge body, take-up core andfilm from said film support surface in an assembled unit relationship.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle membercomprises a depending shaft portion extending below said work referencesurface, and

manually operable means adapted to engage said shaft portion foralternatively raising or lowering said spindle member in response torespectively elevating or depressing said lever means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable guide meanscomprises an angularly adjustable guide plate,

said guide plate being movable alternatively into coplanar relationshipwith said work reference surface and into angularly downwardly dependingposition relative thereto.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said assembled filmcartridge unit is adapted to be conveyed laterally along the filmsupport surface onto said guide plate when said guide plate is incoplanar relationship with said Work reference surface, and said spindlemember is in a lowered position.

5'. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said cartridge body isadapted to be encompassed by a film cartridge cover when said guideplate is moved into its downwardly depending position.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means cooperative withsaid spindle member and adapted to impart surface pressure to the filmduring winding upon said spindle member.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including at least one guide pinrotatably journaled on said work reference surface in proximity to saidfilm supporting surface,

said trailing film end extending between said spindle member and saidscroll disc being entrained about said guide pin.

'8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said guide pin is adaptedto be raised above or lowered below said work reference surface inresponse to corresponding raising or lowering of said spindle member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,412,747 4/ 1922 Hull 292402,579,199 12/ 1951 Marcalus 29234X 2,914,897 12/1959 Haugwitz 531l83,142,890 8/1964 Adams 53-21(FW) 3,226,816 1/1966 Wilson 294 303,457,627 7/ 1969 .Napor 29-430 3,499,202 3/ 1970 Napor 29-430X WAYNE A.MORSE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

Disclaimer 3,606,662.James E. Hoover, Binghamton, NY. FILM WINDING ANDSTAKING APPARATUS. Patent dated Sept. 21, 1971. Disclaimer filed Sept.30, 1982, by the assignee, Eastman Kodak Co. Hereby enters thisdisclaimer to all claims of said patent. [Oflicial Gazette March 22,1983.]

